For this October I’m recycling a charity I’ve done in the past because it has a personal meaning to me. Today is the last day of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month and I’m selecting Susan G. Komen for the Cure once again for their efforts in ending breast cancer. See my post about Komen for the Cure from October ‘08 below.

My Monthly Charity October 2008
October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month and fittingly my charity for October 2008 will be the Susan G. Komen for the Cure charity for the fight against breast cancer. The Susan G. Komen for the Cure organization was started by Nancy G. Brinker as a promise to her sister to do everything in her power to end breast cancer. Founded in 1982 Komen for the Cure has become the world’s largest grassroots network of breast cancer survivors, activist and source of nonprofit funds to fight breast cancer worldwide.

“As Susan G. Komen for the Cure, we’ll continue to be the world’s largest, boldest and most progressive grassroots network of survivors and activists, the only organization fighting to cure breast cancer at every stage. To date, we’ve invested $1 billion in research, education and health services. And because so many millions of people are counting on us to fulfill our promise, we will invest an additional $2 billion over the next decade to do just that.” - http://cms.komen.org/komen/AboutUs/index.htm

Just this year in 2008 there is going to be an estimated 182,460 new cases of invasive breast cancer in women with approximately 40,480 deaths and 1,990 in men with 450 deaths (Statistics from the American Cancer Society Cancer Facts & Figures 2008).

Breast cancer has affected me personally and I’m extremely happy to say that my Mom is a breast cancer survivor. This is not only My Monthly Charity October 2008 it is also a honor to my Mom as a survivor. Join the fight against breast cancer and make a donation to Komen for the Cure.

Find out how you can help in the fight against breast cancer.

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In less than 2 weeks my partner George and I will be heading to Las Vegas for SEMA Show 2009. The SEMA Show is the premiere automotive specialty products show in the world. I’ve always wanted to go to SEMA but didn’t think there be any opportunity because it’s a trade show. Anyways the opportunity has arise since I am part of Detailed Image now and I can’t wait to go.

Check it out, I have my very own badge.

We will be buyers at the show and have the opportunity to see all the up and coming new automotive products. Hot cars and new technology, that’s some gooooood stuff!

Not only do I get to go to one of the world’s premiere car shows, I also get to go to Sin City and escape the chilling Northeast for a few days. It should be some good times and a great new experience. I will definitely be posting an update when I return, so stay tuned.

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Quick post about this movie, The Expendables, coming out in 2010 with a freaking crazy action packed cast. The cast includes Sylvester Stallone, Jason Statham, Jet Li, Dolph Lundgren, Stone Cold Steve Austin, Terry Crews, Mickey Rourke, the Governator Arnold Schwarzenegger and Bruce Willis just to name the ones that stood out to me. Is there any other major action hero from the last 20 -30 years that’s not part of this cast other than Van Damme and The Rock? Check the trailer out.

The action is looking good and it’s hard to pass on a cast like this but we’ll see what’s up when it comes out.

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PicApp has just made life easier for bloggers and web content creators with their innovative news and stock photo website. All their images are free and legal for you to use. This is super convenient to bloggers looking for images for their posts. With PicApp there’s no more worries on finding free and legal photos to use.

The picture below from PicApp of Larry Fitzgerald comes from a game that was played just earlier today between the Arizona Cardinals and Seattle Seahawks. When you use a PicApp image it also offers thumbnails of additional images and the option for others to embed the image.

PicApp is easy to use. All you have to do is search for the image you desire, click on it, then copy and paste the code into your blog. PicApp has also partnered up with some major content providers like Getty Images, Corbis, Pacific Coast News, and Newscom just to name a few, to bring you premium images. On top of all that PicApp is always updating with new content as you can see from the Larry Fitzgerald image from a game that finished no more than a few hours ago.

For funsies lets search for Transformers Revenge of the Fallen and embed some images. I got a badass picture of Optimus Prime and the stunning Meagan Fox.

The only downside is that the image code automatically links back to the image at PicApp, but that’s nothing that can’t be changed with a little HTML editing. (Update: The link must stay intact, it’s part of their terms)

Worry free image use, what more can you ask for. When you’re looking for stock images or up to date news images I think you got start at PicApp.

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It’s about that time of year again as the temperatures start dip, cold and flu season is coming and it’s coming on strong this year. Added to the mix this year is the recently discovered strand of flu virus, H1N1, also known as swine flu. Every year the flu kills thousands of people and this year is all the more important to limit the spread of the flu especially with the new H1N1 strand.

In this month’s Men’s Fitness I read a great article with simple and economical tips to fighting cold and flu season that I wanted to share.

Win the Cold (and Flu) War
Fighting the flu doesn’t have to break the bank. Here are eight effective and inexpensive ways to protect yourself during the upcoming cold and flu season.

by Nate Millado

Fortunately, a swine flu vaccine will be ready as soon as next month. Still, 36,000 Americans die from the “regular” flu each year. Keep influenza at bay with these tried-and-true (and cheap) cold and flu strategies:

1. Get Vaccinated Now
You can at least rest easy knowing you won’t spread any virus to children and elderly, the two age groups most susceptible to flu-related deaths. “[Vaccinations] may also reduce the risk of other potential causes of illness, like cardiovascular disease,” says Mark Moyad. M.D., director of preventive medicine at the University of Michigan Medical Center. Get vaccinated early, since developing an immunity takes up to four weeks. And don’t get bamboozled into paying more than $50 for it. Moyad advises you go to a free clinic or local drug store (Pharmacies like Walgreens and Duane Reade will administer the shot).

2. Smear on Some Gel
A small amount of antibacterial hand cream (like Purell) before and after workouts will protect you from germ-covered gym equipment. But be wary of cheaper, less effective gels. “Turn the package over and look for at least 62 percent ethyl alcohol as its active ingredient,” Moyad says. “Anything less than that won’t kill viruses.”

3. Sweeten Those Coughs
Honey beats dextromethorphan, the key drug in over-the-counter cough suppressants, according to a recent Penn State study. “If you feel something coming on, taking one to two teaspoons of honey turns out to have an antimicrobial effect,” Moyad says. “Plus, it’s soothing when it goes down your throat.”

4. Clear Your Nose
Buy a sterile saline nasal mist (like Simply Saline), to flush out the nasal passages, one of the most common sources of entry for colds and flu. Use it morning and night, or whenever you’re leaving an area that seems especially germy.

5. Grab Some Supplements
Remember this about supplements: zinc is overrated, Vitamin C is underrated. “One of the toxicities of zinc is a permanent loss of smell and taste,” says Moyad. In June, Zicam recalled its nasal gels for this very reason. “Vitamin C is incredibly safe and cheap. [A 250-cound 500 mg bottle will only cost you about $7.] High dosages of Vitamin C could potentially reduce the risk of pneumonia-the biggest concern of cold and flu season since it could be lethal.” Another immune system builder is Vitamin D. A study this year found that people with low levels of the “sunshine vitamin” were 36 percent more likely to get the flu.

6. Gargle, Gargle, Gargle
Swishing with water several times a day can help decrease changes of getting a cold by 36 percent, says a 2005 Japanese study (a separate report suggests that gargling with green tea may enhance the effectiveness of the flu vaccine).

7. Go for the Soup
We know it’s a cliche, but chicken soup is not just nutritious. The warm, steamy liquid is also a natural nasal decongestant. Hot tea works, too. But it won’t make grandma as happy.

8. Score More Shut-Eye
People who sleep fewer than seven hours a night are three times more likely to catch a cold, according to research from Carnegie Mellon University. How do you get more sleep if you’ve already caught the bug? Try Vicks’ new NyQuil Less Drowsy. It has the same multi-symptom relief but with a less-sedating antihistamine, so you wake up feeling better but less groggy.

Men’s Fitness – Win the Cold (and Flu) War by Nate Millado
http://www.mensfitness.com/nutrition/287

According to Google Trends flu activity is already starting to spike with the US showing high flu activity.

Google Trends uses search terms that has shown correlation to flu activity to estimate it. Check the video below to see how Google Trends works.

Google can predict the FUTURE! That’s pretty impressive what they are able to do with search data.

Also posted on the Google Trends Flu Activity US page is a message from the CDC on fighting flu.

Fight influenza

CDC urges you to take these steps to protect yourself and others from the flu:

1. 1. Get vaccinated against flu.
2. 2. Wash hands often, cover your cough.
3. 3. Take antiviral drugs if your doctor recommends them.

This flu season could be worse than prior years. A new flu virus called 2009 H1N1 is spreading worldwide. Take these 3 steps to protect against the new flu, too.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

One more tip I can think of for the cold and flu season is to stay home if you do get sick to help prevent others from getting sick and spreading the cold and flu. Here’s an article on reasons why to stay home when you’re sick. It’s OK to call in sick it’s better for everybody. I know the company and I are working hard to stay home when we’re sick to prevent what happened last year when everyone got sick one right after another.

My personal tips are to make sure you wash your hands and not to touch your face to prevent germs from getting you sick.

A little effort can go a long way to a hopefully happy and healthy winter.

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Check, check, check it, my new blog design. I haven’t blogged much lately while I’ve been working on this redesign with my free time, but it’s done and I’ve got a fresh new look that still has it’s originality.

Old Design

New Design

New features

• Wide open layout to better accommodate posting images and videos
• Better post navigation
• New category navigation
• Graphic enhancements
• Shared items from my Google Reader
• More ways to to connect with me

Now that I got the new blog design done, it’s time to get back to some blogging. Enjoy the new design!

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